The
Matrix directed by Lana and Lily Wachowskis (1999) is a movie about a dystopian future where machines take over
and enslaved mankind but there is one person who can save humanity. At the
beginning of the movie, the audience is introduced to Morpheus. This scene
which introduces Morpheus, is when he is explaining and talking about the
matrix to Neo. At the end of the scene Morpheus gives Neo a choice between the
blue pill and red pill, which symbolises if he wants to go back to a normal
life or join Morpheus to end the matrix. We also learn that Morpheus is the
captain of a band of escapees from the matrix and has been trying to find the
chosen one. He is very enthusiastic, wants the best for
humanity, is usually serious and is very learned. Morpheus
also believes that Neo is the chosen one. This will be proven right at the
climax of the movie. Two elements in the introduction of Morpheus that help
build the character of Morpheus are use of costume and use of dialogue.
An
important visual element which help to create the character of Morpheus is
costume, this is gives us an idea of a person's attitude and self-imagery. One important detail of Morpheus’ costume is that he only wears
black, it is always black pants, leather coat and glasses. Morpheus wears all back clothes to show that he is from the future, is special (as
the agents also wear black) and to show that he is a rebel. This all makes him
seem very serious and dangerous, as many people would notice that he is
different and will not reckon with him.
For example in the scene, Morpheus is wearing a black leather coat and black pants. . In the introduction scene,
When Neo comes inside the room he suddenly becomes more attentive and looks
very anxious when he sees Morpheus for the first time compared to when he was
talking to Trinity before. This also explains why at the interrogation
scene when
Morpheus is wearing a “normal clothes”, he suddenly becomes weaker and
impotent. We also learn in the training sessions for
Neo that a person who is not in the matrix, will enter it as what he thinks he
believes he looks like. Which tells us that Morpheus always thinks that he is
different and serious.. Clothes gives a huge impression of Morpheus as
character and tells that he is distinct and serious.
Another
detail of Morpheus which builds him as a character is his hair or lack of hair.
Morpheus is very open about his hair and doesn't cover it or hide it. It also
tells that his very smart and trustworthy. An example of this is the pill
scene. Where Neo doesn’t doubt that the man he is meeting is Morpheus. This
also means that he is very self-confident as in the training scene we learn
that a person enters the matrix as believes he looks like. Lack of hair makes
him more trustworthy and self-confident. Glasses were a big part of Morpheus’
costume. Glasses were a big part of Morpheus’ costume. Sunglasses weren't used
because he wasn't able to see, but to mask his emotions. Glasses make it easy
to do so as they cover his eyes which makes it hard for people to guess what he
is thinking or feeling. In the pill scene, Neo feels restless when he is
talking to Morpheus in his full attire as Neo was trying to understand what he
is feeling. This why in the interrogation scenes, the agents know how he is feeling
(as he isn't wearing glasses), and exploit that to their advantage. The
director’s purpose was to give Morpheus more screen presence and commanding
attitude which made it seem more dominating and powerful.
Morpheus’
dialogues were used to raise interest in the Matrix in the audience and were
inquisitive, as there hadn’t been a formal introduction to the matrix before
this scene and it was easier to examine Neo from his answers. Morpheus’
questions and explanations also helped the audience understand and make a
connection between what they saw before and what they have been told by him. An
example of such a dialogue is, "I imagine that right now you're feeling a
bit like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole? Hmm?”. It is a good metaphor
which sums up what has been happening in the movie prior to this scene and
afterwards in the movie. Before the introduction scene of Morpheus, we see Neo
getting a message from Trinity and him being, quite literally, bugged by the
robot agents. Which is when Alice starts following the white rabbit down the
hole. After the scene, Neo learns that he is the “One” and becomes more
powerful and stronger than the robot agents. Which is equivalent of Alice
beating the Queen of Hearts, and going back to the real world.
Another
thought provoking question asked by Morpheus is if Neo believes in god, which
Neo answers “No, because he wants to be in charge of his decisions”. This
answer basically explains that the matrix makes choices for the person and
nobody can do anything about it. His dialogue delivery, gesture and body
language were affirmative and structured. He sounded very warm and welcoming
but looked ready for anything to happen. Morpheus’ tone was very monotone and
his pitch was low to show that something mysterious will be revealed. For
example, when Neo walked in he was taken aback by Morpheus because of the
costume and the gloomy voice. It also made it easier for Morpheus to take
control of the conversation. These aspects made it easier for Morpheus to control
and examine Neo as a person.
The elements chosen by me are costume and dialogue. The impact of
black colour and clothing was making Morpheus seem as a dominating and serious
character to the audience. The pitch, gesture and tone of dialogue delivery
made it easier for Morpheus to control the conversation and examine Neo as a
person. Which created a lasting memory on audience.
Comments
Post a Comment